“search the scriptures” John 5:39

Author –

John Scarsbrook
Articles by this Author
‘The Father, Who Raised Him From the Dead’, Gal. 1. 1
The whole edifice of Christian truth and doctrine stands or falls on the validity of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. If there is any question or doubt concerning the historical reality of t…
John Scarsbrook
The Father
2022 Volume 77 Issue 4
Study
Abijah
If Rehoboam had obeyed the letter of the law, then Abijah would never have been king! The laws of inheritance, given in Deuteronomy chapter 21, clearly stated the rights of the firstborn where a man h…
John Scarsbrook
2011 Volume 66 Issue 1
Exposition
ABIMELECH the ‘Bramble King’
There are occasions both in the scriptures and in daily life when we come across an individual who seems to be totally devoid of moral worth; Abimelech was just such a man. It is a moot point whether …
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2009 Volume 64 Issue 4
Exposition
An Assembly of the Lord’s people will be a people among whom – The Scriptures are Obeyed – Part 11
From the dawn of time, a loving God has only asked one thing of man, His supreme creation, and that one thing is obedience. Not because He desires a servile, craven humanity, languishing under a Nebuc…
John Scarsbrook
An Assembly of the Lord’s people will be a people among whom …
2021 Volume 76 Issue 2
Exposition
Anna
The day dawned like any other day for most of Jerusalem’s residents. As the sun rose over the ancient hills of Moab to the east of Jordan, its first rays reflected from the gilded pinnacle of Herod’s …
John Scarsbrook
The Widows of Luke’s Gospel
2022 Volume 77 Issue 3
Devotional
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 1
The Old Testament commences with seventeen books of history – Genesis to Esther, and closes with seventeen books of prophecy – Isaiah to Malachi. In between are five books – Job to Song of Solomon – w…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2018 Volume 73 Issue 1
Exposition
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 2: The Wise Man and His Companions
Wisdom is a fathomless ocean, an eternal fountain which has its source in God alone, 8. 22, 23. It was divine wisdom that brought creation into being, 3. 19. The same wisdom orders and maintains it, 8…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2018 Volume 73 Issue 2
Exposition
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 3: The fool and his friends
The first man in scripture considered to be a fool, by his own admission, was Saul the king of Israel. Saul was a man who was given privilege, time and opportunity to make something of his life. Sadly…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2018 Volume 73 Issue 3
Exposition
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 4: The Sluggard
Time is a very precious commodity. It takes us from the cradle and charts our course through childhood to adolescence and on into adulthood. Time takes us from the school desk to the workplace. Time m…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2018 Volume 73 Issue 4
Devotional
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 5: The Proud Man
All sin is abhorrent to the mind of God, and totally foreign to the divine nature. In view of this, it would seem perfectly reasonable to ask why is it that the sin of pride in particular calls forth …
John Scarsbrook
2019 Volume 74 Issue 1
Devotional
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 6: The Talebearer
Man is by nature an inquisitive being. There is, of course, nothing intrinsically wrong with that. It is a God-given attribute, which helps us to learn and develop through life and to acquire the know…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2019 Volume 74 Issue 2
Exposition
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 7: The Righteous Man
The righteous man occupies the central place in the book of Proverbs. He is seen as a shining example to the various characters as they move around him on the stage of life. His morally upright walk a…
John Scarsbrook
2019 Volume 74 Issue 3
Exposition
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs – Part 8: Women of Vice, Voice and Virtue
We cannot fail to notice as we read through the Proverbs that the wise man is totally impartial in his dealings with the various characters brought before us. He is forthright, honest, incisive and cl…
John Scarsbrook
Character Studies in the Book of Proverbs
2019 Volume 74 Issue 4
Exposition
Church Gatherings – Part 1
In Matthew chapter 18, verse 20 the Lord Jesus planted a seed thought which blossomed in the book of Acts and bore fruit in the Epistles. One of the reasons given by the Lord when he called the twelve…
John Scarsbrook
Church Gatherings
2012 Volume 67 Issue 1
Exposition
Church Gatherings – Part 2 – Teaching and being taught
The last instruction given by the Lord Jesus to His own before His ascension established an order which is both spiritual and logical. ‘Go’, He said, and ‘make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…
John Scarsbrook
Church Gatherings
2012 Volume 67 Issue 2
Contemporary Issues
Church Gatherings – Part 3 – The Breaking of Bread
The law from Sinai was intrinsically ‘holy, and just, and good’, Rom. 7. 12. It did, however, make rigorous demands upon those living under its jurisdiction, with penalties imposed for failure to meet…
John Scarsbrook
Church Gatherings
2012 Volume 67 Issue 3
Contemporary Issues
Deborah – a Mother in Israel
For eighty years the land enjoyed a measure of rest after the exploits of Ehud. A whole generation grew up during the longest period of peace recorded in the times of the Judges. Yet, as we have seen …
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2009 Volume 64 Issue 1
Exposition
Developing and renewing eldership
In 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 2 the apostle Paul sets out a pattern for the progression and maintenance of the truth of scripture for succeeding generations. The ‘things which (Timothy) had learned’ wo…
John Scarsbrook
2014 Volume 69 Issue 1
Contemporary Issues
Ehud and Shamgar
EHUD – The Scourge of Moab, Judges 3. 12-30 SHAMGAR –The Slayer of Philistines, Judges 3. 31 I recall as a boy having a morbid fascination with the story of Ehud. The daring plan, the intrigue and the…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2008 Volume 63 Issue 4
Exposition
Eve
Late in the twentieth century some very clever and highly qualified scientists proposed a theory, and it was never more than a theory, suggesting that the evolutionary descent on the female side could…
John Scarsbrook
Old Testament Women Who Appear in the New Testament
2022 Volume 77 Issue 2
Study
Fellowship is Enjoyed
There are two topics under consideration in this subject. First, we need to establish who the ‘people’ are. Then, we must seek to understand what is meant by and involved in ‘fellowship’. According to…
John Scarsbrook
An Assembly of the Lord’s people will be a people among whom …
2019 Volume 74 Issue 1
Assembly Principles
Gideon – the weak confounding the mighty (5/1)
PART 1 If the question were asked, ‘Who are the outstanding characters in the book of Judges?’ we could not fail to think of those like Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah and Samson, and we would be right to d…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2009 Volume 64 Issue 2
Exposition
Gideon – the weak confounding the mighty (5/2)
PART 2 Gideon may well have been disappointed with the response when he blew his trumpet in Abiezer. True it was that the first to gather to his banner were those of his own home town; men of whom he …
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2009 Volume 64 Issue 3
Exposition
God’s weeping prophet and wayward people: Jeremiah’s prophecy and Lamentations – Malcolm C. Davis
Paperback, 269 pages, Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, KA3 1RH, Scotland. ISBN: 0978-1-910513-50-7. A cursory glance at the brief comment on the back cover of this book brought…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 4
A Word for Today
Jehoahaz to Zedekiah
The closing years of the monarchy saw four young men ascend the nation’s throne. Jehoahaz was twenty-three, his brother, Jehoiakim, who succeeded him, was twenty-five. His son Jehoiachin followed at t…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 1
History
Jephthah – A Man of Contradictions
It is rather unfortunate that on most occasions when thought is given to the life of Jephthah, interest is confined to opinion regarding the fate of his daughter! Chapters have been written and much i…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2010 Volume 65 Issue 1
Exposition
Joshua
Introduction – Purpose and plan The book of Joshua marks an important milestone in the history of the nation. Promise was made to Abram in Genesis chapter 12 of both a land and a nation. Abram and his…
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 2
Devotional
Josiah – Part 1
Chaos reigned in the royal residence at Jerusalem. Amon’s brief and godless occupancy of the throne had been brought to an untimely end by his servants, fearful, maybe, of a return to the cruel and id…
John Scarsbrook
Josiah
2014 Volume 69 Issue 3
Devotional
Josiah – Part 2
The wise man in the book of Proverbs refers no fewer than fourteen times to ‘the fear of the Lord’. Among other benefits, it is ‘the beginning of wisdom’, 9. 10; it ‘prolongeth days’, 10. 27, and is ‘…
John Scarsbrook
Josiah
2014 Volume 69 Issue 4
Devotional
Judges
The design of the book Among the many words of wisdom in the book of Proverbs, there are some which serve both as statements of fact and, at the same time, provide a word of warning. Chapter 13 verse …
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 3
Exposition
Letter to Philemon – Part 1
Christianity is the very antithesis of slavery. In the first century, when this brief letter was written, slavery was endemic throughout the Roman empire. It has been suggested that as many as one thi…
John Scarsbrook
2024 Volume 79 Issue 3
Study
Lot’s Wife
We do not know her name, her age, her appearance or her family background. All we know is that she passes before us briefly on the page of both Old and New Testaments as a salutary warning, simply kno…
John Scarsbrook
Old Testament Women Who Appear in the New Testament
2020 Volume 75 Issue 1
Exposition
Manasseh and Amon
If the apostle Paul, by his own admission, was the chief of sinners in the New Testament, then Manasseh could well lay claim to that dubious title in the Old Testament. It is encouraging to note, howe…
John Scarsbrook
2014 Volume 69 Issue 2
Exposition
Nathan the Prophet
We learn from 1 Chronicles chapter 29, and from 2 Chronicles chapter 9, that Nathan the prophet recorded ‘the acts of David’ and ‘the acts of Solomon, first and last’. No doubt it would have been inte…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 1
Devotional
Othniel – the Lion of God
It is interesting to note that the Spirit of God twice records the death of Joshua, Josh. 24. 29; Judg. 2. 8. It is almost as though there is a reluctance to see this great servant of God pass from th…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2008 Volume 63 Issue 3
Exposition
Ruth
The book of Judges ends in failure, departure, idolatry and judgement. The first book of Samuel opens with a barren woman, a priest whose eyes were dim and an admission of ‘no open vision’; heaven was…
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 4
Devotional
Samson – A model of Inconsistency (8/1)
From the death of Jephthah to the birth of Samson, some twentyfive years of relative peace had passed by for the nation of Israel. During that time, God raised up three men in succession to administer…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2010 Volume 65 Issue 2
Exposition
Samson a model of inconsistency
It is not difficult to understand why God would use a fearless warrior like Othniel, a patriot such as Ehud or the self-effacing Gideon; men who ‘subdued kingdoms … waxed valiant in fight, turned to f…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2010 Volume 65 Issue 3
Exposition
Son of the Blessed
It was still dark, though the promise of dawn was a faint blush in the eastern sky, heralding what would be the most significant day in the history of the universe. It was cold enough to need a fire i…
John Scarsbrook
Son of…
2023 Volume 78 Issue 3
Devotional
Tamar
Tamar is not one of the more prominent characters of scripture; she is afforded one chapter in Genesis, a verse in the book of Ruth chapter 4, a reference in 1 Chronicles chapter 2, and a mention in M…
John Scarsbrook
Old Testament Women Who Appear in the New Testament
2021 Volume 76 Issue 2
Devotional
The Church at Philadelphia
REVELATION 2.18-29 With just ‘a little strength’, the believers at Philadelphia were not finding life easy when the apostle John conveyed to them this letter from the Lord Jesus. Their closest neighbo…
John Scarsbrook
The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor
2008 Volume 63 Issue 1
Exposition
The Days when the Judges ruled
The design of the book Among the many words of wisdom in the book of Proverbs, there are some which serve both as statements of fact and at the same time provide a word of warning. Chapter 13 verse 15…
John Scarsbrook
The Days when the Judges ruled
2008 Volume 63 Issue 2
Exposition
The Privilege
Before you read this article just STOP! – Take a moment or two, and ask yourself the following questions:- What does it mean to me to be in fellowship in a local assembly? Where does the life and act…
John Scarsbrook
Fellowship In The Local Church
2001 Volume 56 Issue 1
Exposition
The Responsibility
Fellowship is one of those words that we use frequently, and at times can also misuse. To a degree we all understand it, yet seldom appreciate it as we should. We speak of being ‘in fellowship’ in a c…
John Scarsbrook
Fellowship In The Local Church
2001 Volume 56 Issue 2
Exposition
The Throne of His father David
There is no doubt that all authority, whether in relation to heaven or earth, has been vested in the Lord Jesus; He it is who must, and will reign until all enemies are beneath His feet. He will yet b…
John Scarsbrook
2011 Volume 66 Issue 4
Devotional
The Widow With the Two Mites, Luke 21. 1–4
It is always interesting and instructive when reading the synoptic Gospels to note the details recorded by one or maybe two of the writers but omitted by others. The brief incident which occupies our …
John Scarsbrook
The Widows of Luke’s Gospel
2023 Volume 78 Issue 3
Devotional
Their Finest Hour – Esther
If the book of Esther had been the work of a secular writer it would undoubtedly be termed a ‘page-turner’! The narrative draws the reader on, and even for those familiar with the story there is a com…
John Scarsbrook
Their Finest Hour
2015 Volume 70 Issue 2
Exposition
Their Finest Hour – Peter
If it were possible to ask Peter what he considered to be his ‘finest hour’, I rather think that he would recall that unforgettable experience ‘in the holy mount’, concerning which he would later writ…
John Scarsbrook
2018 Volume 73 Issue 3
Exposition
Then came a Rich Man of Arimathea
It is James who, in his epistle, underlines the fact that genuine faith will always be accompanied by appropriate works. A Joseph stands at both the entrance and the exodus of the earthly pathway of t…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 4
Devotional
Book Reviews by this Author
A Study of First Thessalonians: The Model Church – Gary McBride
Paperback, 102 pages, Published by Gospel Folio Press, 304 Killaly St. West, Port Colborne, ON L3K 6A6 Canada. ISBN 978-192752-145-8. This is a short book amongst a number of recent very helpful boo…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 3
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Beginnings: Old Testament Overview Volume 1 – Richard Catchpole
Paperback, 323 Pages, Published by Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, UK. ISBN 978-1-871642-66-7. Precious Seed Publications set themselves the very worthy task of providing…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 4
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Christian Experiences and Spiritual Growth
Christian Experiences and Spiritual Growth by Winston G. Litchmore161 pages, Paperback. Published by Austin Macauley Publishers, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA.ISBN: 978-1-398467-89-7 …
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 4
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Christian Frontline Series: The Christian and Money – Hansruedi Graf
Paperback, 94 pages, Chapter Two, Fountain House, 3 Conduit Mews, London, SE18 7AP, United Kingdom ISBN 978-1-85307-257-4. Programmes or articles about money are usually deadly boring. Who can liste…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 4
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Collected Writings of E. W. Rogers – Volume 2
Collected Writings of E. W. Rogers - Volume 2 Compiled by Mervyn Wishart 412 pages, Paperback. Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland. ISBN 13. 978-1-914273-16-2. We are g…
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 4
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Daily Shall He Be Praised
A day by day anthology of Hymn writers and their work.Paperback, 221 pages. Published by Scripture Teaching Library, Northern Ireland.Available from Ards Bookshop, Newtownards, Northern Ireland. ISBN:…
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 1
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Day by Day – Through the Bible Edited – Ken Totton
Paperback, 381 pages, Published by Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, UK. ISBN 978 1 871642 80 3. The latest publication in the tried and tested Day by Day series does exact…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 3
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Design Dissected – Is the design real?
Design Dissected - Is the design real? by David J. Galloway224 pages, Paperback.Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock.ISBN 13. 978-1-914273-00-1. The past few years have seen a num…
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 2
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Ezekiel – Coming Back From Exile
Ezekiel - Coming Back From Exile by John Riddle576 pages, Paperback.Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, KA3 1RH, Scotland.ISBN-13. 978-1-914273-15-5 This latest in a series of b…
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 3
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False Apocalypse, False Gospel, False Witnesses – Donald C. B. Cameron.
Paperback, 390 pages Published by John Ritchie Ltd, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland. ISBN 978–1–910513–80–4. No doubt most readers of this magazine will have encountered representatives of the Je…
John Scarsbrook
2018 Volume 73 Issue 2
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Gleanings from the book of Ruth – Alex Dryburgh
Paperback, 104 pages, Published by Gospel Folio Press, 304 Killaly St. W. Port Colborne, ON L3K 6A6. ISBN 978-1927-5216-18. A book review is, by its very nature, a subjective exercise. The style and…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 1
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His Coming – A Guide to Future Events – Various Authors
Paperback, 140 pages. Published by John Ritchie Ltd. 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland. ISBN: 978-1-910513-42-2. Books dealing with future events are not in short supply and cover every shade of op…
John Scarsbrook
2018 Volume 73 Issue 3
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How to Master the Bible – Martin Anstey
Paperback, 138 pages, Published by Scripture Teaching Library, Cookstown, NI. ISBN 978-1-909789-16-6. This is a revised reprint of a book first published in 1931. In view of this, I imagine that the…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 1
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If it wasn’t for the Lighthouse – Bill and Irene Ridgeway
Paperback, 112 pages. Published by Gospel Folio Press, 304 Killaly St West, Port Colborne, Ontario, L3K 6A6. ISBN 978-1-927521-56-4 If you want to know if missionaries have the same anxieties as we …
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 4
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Indispensible Ordinance: Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and the Head Covering – Romel Ghossain
Paperback, 142 pp, Published by Decapolis Press, Pitcot Farm, Pitcot Lane, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Radstock BA3 4SX, England. Price £6.00 ISBN 978-1871642-51-3. A book that brings together these thre…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 2
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Insects of the Bible – Tom H. Ratcliffe
Paperback, 81 pages, Published by Bell and Bain Ltd, Glasgow. [Available from John Ritchie Limited]. ISBN: 978 1 871642 810. It may be that if you have never had an interest in entomology then you m…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 3
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Learning to Lead – Next Generation – David Clarkson and Stephen McQuoid
Paperback, 182pp. Published by Opal Trust, 1 Glenannan Park, Lockerbie, Scotland, DG11 2FA. ISBN 978-1-907098-15-4. It is clear, from the focus of this book, that the authors are aware of the import…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 2
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Living with the glory of the Lord – Ezekiel’s Prophecy – Malcolm Davis
Paperback, 276 pages. Published by John Ritchie Ltd., 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland, KA3 1 RH. Price: £8.99. ISBN: 978-1-909803-78-7. The origins of this helpful book are to be found in a conve…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 1
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Looking for the Glory – An Exposition of the Epistle to Titus – Adam D. Thropay
Paperback, 103 pages, Published by Scripture Teaching Library, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. ISBN 978-1-909789-22-7. Adam D. Thropay has been involved in Bible teaching in assemblies in North America…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 4
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New Testament Priests, Speak Up! – Mike Stephenson
Paperback, 79 pages. Published by ECS Ministries, PO Box 1028, Dubuque, IA 52004-1028. ISBN: 978-1-59387-229-8. The title and theme of this book will strike a chord with many who would love to hear …
John Scarsbrook
2018 Volume 73 Issue 3
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New Treasury of Bible Doctrine: ‘Things most surely believed’
Paperback, 590 pages, Published by Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 1HW, UK. ISBN: 978 1 871642 84 1. First published 1977. Revised and updated 2017. This s…
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 4
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One Is Your Master Even Christ
192 pages, Hardback, Published by The Bereans Publishing Ltd., 38 Mountain Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4BB.ISBN: 978-1-913232-20-7. As the back cover summary indicates, this book has been writt…
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 1
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Opening up Proverbs – Jim Newheiser
Paperback, 182 pages, Published by Day One Publications, Leominster, HR6 8NZ, UK. ISBN 978-1-84625-110-8. The ‘Opening up’ series covers many of the books of scripture, written by a number of respec…
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 2
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Penned for His Praise
Penned for His Praise by Joanna DanielHardback, 106 pages,Published by Moriah Ministries, PO Box 7193, 31-33 Water Tank Road, MMDA Colony, Arumbakkam, Chennai 600 106, India.ISBN 978-81-938892-9-9. …
John Scarsbrook
2022 Volume 77 Issue 3
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Pocket Commentary Series – 1st John
Paperback, 104 pages, Published by John Ritchie Ltd. 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, KA3 1RH. ISBN: 978-1-910513-68-2. What is a pocket commentary? As the Foreword states, ‘A need has been identified … fo…
John Scarsbrook
2017 Volume 72 Issue 4
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Poisoned Soul – the deadly effects of bitterness – Paul Young
Paperback, 66 pages. Published by the author, 31 Fairmeadows, Maesteg, Wales, CF34 9JL. Price: £1. It would be easy to dismiss this unprepossessing booklet. It is only a few pages. However, for anyo…
John Scarsbrook
2015 Volume 70 Issue 1
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Precious Seed 70th Anniversary Edition
Paperback, 212 pages, Published by Precious Seed Publications, 34 Metcalfe Avenue, Killamarsh, UK. ISBN 978 1 871642 77 3. This well presented book incorporates scanned copies of the Precious Seed M…
John Scarsbrook
2016 Volume 71 Issue 3
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Seven Postures of Christ – Mervyn Wishart
128 pages, Paperback. Published by John Ritchie Publishing, 40 Beansburn, Kilmarnock, Scotland. ISBN-13: 978-1-912522-62-0. Benefits arising from the pandemic lockdown of 2020/21 are not easy to qua…
John Scarsbrook
2021 Volume 76 Issue 3
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